The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Smilax microphylla C. H. Wright

Smilax microphylla C. H. Wright is a climbing shrub that can be used for herbal medicine. The complete chloroplast genome sequence of S. microphylla was determined in this study. It is 158,246 bp in length with a GC content of 37.12%, and consists of a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 27,175 bp, a large single copy (LSC) region of 85,229 bp, and a small single copy (SSC) region of 18,667 bp. The genome encoded 132 genes, including 86 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis showed that S. microphylla is phylogenetically closely related to Smilax china and Smilax nipponica.

Oxyresveratrol: Sources, Productions, Biological Activities, Pharmacokinetics, and Delivery Systems

Oxyresveratrol has recently attracted much research attention due to its simple chemical structure and diverse therapeutic potentials. Previous reviews describe the chemistry and biological activities of this phytoalexin, but additional coverage and greater accessibility are still needed. The current review provides a more comprehensive summary, covering research from 1955 to the present year. Oxyresveratrol occurs in both gymnosperms and angiosperms. However, it has never been reported in plants in the subclass Sympetalae, and this point might be of both chemotaxonomic and biosynthetic importance. Oxyresveratrol can be easily obtained from plant materials by conventional methods, and several systems for both qualitative and quantitative analysis of oxyresveratrol contents in plant materials and plant products are available. Oxyresveratrol possesses diverse biological and pharmacological activities such as the inhibition of tyrosinase and melanogenesis, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, and protective effects against neurological disorders and digestive ailments. However, the unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties of oxyresveratrol, including low water solubility and poor oral availability and stability, have posed challenges to its development as a useful therapeutic agent. Recently, several delivery systems have emerged, with promising outcomes that may improve chances for the clinical study of oxyresveratrol.